Digitech BP355 amp modeling vs. Sansamp,VT, Darkglass B3/7k, etc

I use both. Tech 21 VT bass v2 into a Zoom B2.1u. I use the b2 for a switchable eq, noise gate volume pedal, tuner, and for the DI. It sounds better than either on their own. I also just picked up a Zoom ms 60b which I'll add in front of the VT for additional effects.

I use my hybrid pedal board as my primary tone--I also play churches and other venues with provided backline. I rarely haul my main rig anymore. Just grab my bass and pedal board and go. Get to the venue, plug in, tune up, and I'm ready for sound check.

If I were going to go with only a dedicated pre-amp DI though--I'd either use the MXR M80 or the new Tech 21 Bass DI. That's just personal taste though.

 

Personally I think the digitech bp355 is more suitable for recording. I use to own one and it is indeed a pretty cool sounding bass multi-effects processor. and now I currently own a zoom b3(which I use for recording and live performances). I have sound samples of the digitech bp355 and the zoom b3 on my soundclick website. here's the link.

www.soundclick.com/crystalman85

Feel free to check it out.

 

All three are great pedals/preamps. Longtime Tech21 user and slowly becoming a longtime Darkglass fan and user.

Here's some sounds I recorded with various overdrives and preamps. I think I labeled them all, or had the name of the pedal in the title somewhere:

https://soundcloud.com/centaurus_a/sets/bass-tone-crusades

 

I've never used the Digitech BP355 but I've at times tried to replace tube amps with digital modeling. First attempt was the Line 6 X3. Couldn't get into it at all, though I've heard some good direct recording results (I was disable cab models and running it through my amp's effects return to drive an 810 - didn't like it). Tried the new Pod HD but they only have one bass model and I didn't dig it much. Recently got a Zoom MS-60B and while it's got some decent models (better than the Line 6 in my opinion), it didn't quite give me that tube "feel" that I desired.

I recently went through all of the options of preamp pedals that you're considering and made a shootout page which is in my signature. Hopefully this will help you get started!

 

John's shootout page is an excellent recommendation. Gonna get you in the "ball park" of what some of the pedals can do.

Keep in mind, some of the pedals do not have a speaker sim and they were recorded direct, I'm pretty sure. Those pedals will sound different through an amp or an ampsim/speakersim. But nonetheless a great resource.

 

I have had one for awhile and have always had decent results while using it for practice and recording but I've never used it in a band setting. I've been frustrated with the choices overdrive pedals available and recently sold my sansamp bddi and A full tone OCD pedal as well as a boss overdrive pedal. However I have been very happy with my Catalinbread SFT pedal but I use that primarily with my classic rock band, and it doesn't work all that well with the Alice in chains cover band that I'm also in. The Sansamp was decent in that situation but I found that it was a little too scooped sounding for my taste and therefore I decided to set have a couple of settings on the Digitech BP 355 as a means of mimicking the Sansamp bddi. I also wanted to set up at least 10 of my own presets with even volumes so that I wouldn't have so many volume spikes like it had with the factory presets. I grabbed my Jazz bass, and plugged the BP355 into my LM Tube 800 and 2 hours later I came up with 13 of my own presets. A couple are variations of what the Sansamp sounds like, as well as some SVT settings with high gain and lower gain options. This pedal shines as an SVT amp modeler, but the effects are guitar effects and either cause a loss of low end or sound absolutely cheesy. For $199'new, it can mimic a Sansamp bddi fairly well, and if you stick to using it as a modeler, the EQ, stick to distortion in moderation, and invest some time the BP 355 isn't bad at all. Within the next couple of days I hope to make a video to show some of my presets

 

The videos:

Video Links- The first is mainly pick playing and the 2nd video is more finger style. Use headphones as the volume isn't very loud.

 

I currently own an Aguilar Tone Hammer DI and have used it in church. It works very well but the sound choices are extremely limited. I also have a Digitech BP355. I haven't used it in church yet, but definitely will. However, the BP355 has more tonal versatility than the Aguilar DI. If you spend enough time with it, you can tweak your own presets and get some really useable tones. I have done this and I'm pretty happy with the results and can't wait to try it out live. Also, the BP355 doubles as a recording interface!

I'm not a big stickler when it comes to analog vs. digital. To me, if it works, sounds good, and is an efficient product, then it's fair game.

Depending on how the BP355 performs and sounds live, I may just get rid of the Tone Hammer. However, my decision would be based solely on versatility and functionality, as the Aguilar is a fantastic product with outstanding quality.

Personally, I think that the BP355 is extremely underrated and under appreciated. I've also owned the Boss GT-10B, which sounds phenomenal. But in terms of ease of use, efficiency, and the value based on price, the BP355 just made a bit more sense to me

 

Thanks for the compliment I actually have two young kids will be a little bit before I can get some of the settings up but for the most part you should stick to the amp module I usually just pick SVT or Bomber Ampeg amps and the 8 x 10 and then I use the EQ. That should be a good base. Then just play around the EQ settings while making sure to check the volume levels between each of your custom settings. If I remember correctly I always kept the amp gain between 40-65 and the amp volume between 55-75. I did all the changes on the pedal itself so I could hear it with my gigging amp.

 

I've never had the opportunity of trying out tone hammer or the boss GT-10 B but I have read good things about each. The Boss GT looks a little complicated but I'm sure I would eventually figure it out if given enough time. Let us know how things go with The BP355.

 

The Boss GT-10B is pretty good but it was simply overkill for what I needed. A lot of people will never like these digital pedals.

Just as with the BP355, you can tweak it to your liking with a little bit of patience. I may get another one in the future but I'm in no hurry. I really just want to see how the BP355 performs live. I will definitely keep everyone posted.

 

I can't wait to try mine out on Jan 19th with my Alice in Chains cover band. So far it's just been at home but it doesn't sound that far off from my regular pedal board.

 

I've used Digitech BP355 live. It worked fine for all my gigs